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Comment by joegahona | Hacker News Reader

What was the verse?

I wish I could remember it, or even just the word, but it was several years ago. It might have been the word 'prevent' which 400 years ago meant to precede, but I really don't know.

Psalms 119:

I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

Versus the NIV's

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.

Would be a good candidate

Not OP but Psalm 37:8b[0] is my go to verse for this. I grew up reading, hearing, & memorizing out of the KJV and kind of prided myself in being able to understand that style of English. Even knowing various words & phrases have changed,I still have no idea what they verse would have meant to the original readers. I can look at a modern translation & see what it "should" say,but wow, I just can't get there from the KJV languagefret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

[0] "fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

I saw a humorous YouTuber (from the US South?) that made comedy from quoting phrases constantly, but in socially ironic moments.. like people doing somewhat embarrassing things at the mall.. things like that.. it was irreverent overall, but for someone who does not know that many verses, to hear so many, but funny .. it was entertaining..

I understand you are not OP.

I am confused as to whether the word "fret" is considered archaic. I'd settle on "used more often 100 years ago" or something similar, but I have doubts and curiosity.

I don't think its archaic but it is certainly not a common word anymore. My primary reason for using that verse though is that it is just impossible to get at the meaning from the modern vantage point. I have no idea how to parse it to make it make say anything like what a modern translation says or even anything meaningful to be honest. Don't worry to do evil? Don't worry about doing evil? Don't do evil while worrying?

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